Battle of Verdun is fought. Battle of the Somme follows in July. Verdun, was the longest and one of the bloodiest engagements of WWI. Two million men fought beginning Feb. 21, 1916, when the Germans, commanded by Crown Prince Frederick William, launched a massive offensive, but the French rallied under General Pétain (with the cry, "They shall not pass") and resistance stiffened. Here occurred the first delivery of poison gas via artillery shells in conflict with the 1899 Haige Treaty. The phosgene gas used penetrated the gas masks used at the time and is credited with 85% of all gas deaths during WWI.

British offensive on the Somme relieved the pressure on Verdun in July, 1916. The Germans sustained almost as many casualties as the French; an estimated 328,000 to the French 348,000. General Douglas Haig finally calls off 1st Battle of the Somme over 1 million killed or wounded.

Battle of Jutland (Skagerrak): naval battle between British Grand Fleet and German High Seas Fleet: 10,000 die in this inconclusive slaughter.

1st German Zeppelin attack over Great Britain, 4 die.

1st bombing of Paris & London by German Zeppelins

Germany and Austria-Hungary notify the US that they will sink any armed merchant ships starting on 1 March

Washington, DC: 1916Citizens are marching to prepare for war, the suffragette movement, and for keeping everything exactly as it is. Social structures begin to change in favor of higher education for women, and for questioning even the US President's right to hold women back.

Preparedness Marches paraded in many US cities, including Washington pictured above during 1916. The cause had opponents from radical circles claiming that war would encourage many a business to profit off the carnage. Other opponents objected because they believed that WWI should be left a battle between capitalists and emperors, not the working man. This war was a European struggle and should not be fought with American blood. Those with the preparedness movement saw American involvement as inevitable and wanted the country’s industrial strength to turn toward a war footing sooner so American soldiers would be best armed and supplied. They also wanted to encourage the American public to prepare.

The Suffrage Movement continued to headline the news with more and more rallies and protests, especially in Washington against President Wilson’s opposition. By 1916, suffragettes encouraged more women to seek training in industrial settings preparing for their role in WWI and to seek higher educations. Many found a home at George Washington University.

Organized youth groups, particularly the scouts, arranged awareness drives collecting peach pits which were turned into carbon for gas mask filters. The US was sending gas masks to Britain along with food and necessary supplies.

The Fifty-fourth annual convention of ex-slaves was held at the Cosmopolitan Baptist Church on Tenth and N Streets NW from October 22 through November 6, 1916, presided over by Dr. Simon Drew, Pastor of the church. A dinner was served each day for the participants. Former slaves of Gen. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were present.

President Wilson and candidates running for president were invited to speak, but no record can be found to indicate who accepted.

IN FLANDERS FIELDSin Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. ~ Major John McCrae, Canadian